Blog Layout

Will there be a housing supply shortage in 2021? First American's Mark Fleming shares his housing market forecast for 2021

Didier Malagies • January 11, 2021

Will there be a housing supply shortage in 2021?

First American's Mark Fleming shares his housing market forecast for 2021

This is the fifth installment of our economist Q&A series, as we work to answer the top 2021 housing market questions for our HW+ members. Every Tuesday in December, HousingWire interviewed a top economist in the HW+ Slack channel. In each Q&A, we attempt to bring clarity to the top questions around housing supply shortages in 2021, the future of foreclosures and the future generation of homebuyers.


In this installment, HousingWire interviewed Mark Fleming, chief economist at First American, on his forecast for next year. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. 


HW: In your commentary, you say the speed of the housing recovery was surprising, but the underlying factors that created it were not. Why is that? 


Mark Fleming: First, I just have to say that I was/am amazed at how well the housing market fared this year, considering! That’s a testament to the hard work of many of you on this chat…so thank you! For what turned out to be an amazing 2020, despite the pandemic


I think I was surprised because I didn’t realize how pandemic-proof the market really was when it all got started in March. But, we quickly realized that the potential homeowner was going to be much less impacted by the recession, and at the same time, those young Millennial buyers were going to benefit from even lower mortgage rates.


Strong demographics, low rates, and then no housing supply…a recipe for market success! These were all in place before the pandemic…they just proved so resilient TO the pandemic!


HW: When you talk about pent-up demand you reference Millennial homebuyers. Are we starting to see any interest in home buying from Gen Z? 



Mark Fleming: Gen Z? We need to first ride the wave of Gen Y.

But more seriously…not much yet. What Millennials showed was that eventually they wanted to become homeowners (in their early 30’s). There has been a pretty steady progression in waiting for homeownership by generation.

Silent- early 20’s

Baby boomers- mid 20s

my generation- late 20s

Millennials- early 30’s

soooo… my guess is that Gen Z may wait even longer. They have time!



Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

By Didier Malagies February 3, 2025
 A rapid rescore is a service offered by lenders to quickly update your credit report with the latest information, potentially improving your credit score in a matter of days rather than waiting for the usual reporting cycle. Here’s how it works: How Rapid Rescoring Works: Correct Errors or Update Balances – If you've recently paid off debt, had incorrect information removed, or made other positive changes, a rapid rescore can update your credit report faster. Lender Requests the Rescore – You can’t request a rapid rescore on your own; a lender must do it for you. Credit Bureaus Update Your Report – The lender submits proof (such as a paid-off credit card statement) to the credit bureaus, which then updates your report within a few days. When to Use Rapid Rescoring You’re applying for a mortgage or other loan, and a higher score could qualify you for better rates. You recently paid down high credit card balances. Errors or outdated negative items were removed from your report. Important Notes A rapid rescore does not remove accurate negative information—it only updates legitimate changes. It typically takes 3-7 days for results. Some lenders offer it for free, while others may pass on a fee. Would you like help finding lenders that offer rapid rescoring? tune in and learn at https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies January 22, 2025
A dedicated aging in place (AIP) program offered by the Oswego County Habitat for Humanity (OCHFH) in New York says it is seeing success by incorporating family, community and local resources to ensure older homeowners can remain where they prefer. “It’s been projected that, over the next 20 years, households led by individuals in their 80s will become the fastest growing age group , which provides stability within their communities,” said Samuel Raponi, OCHFH executive director. Through the organization’s AIP program, Habitat collaborates with families, local organizations and other community members in an effort to provide homes that prioritize living for older adults, he said. “This ultimately enhances their quality of life. We employ two different assessments in each case to ensure that the homeowners’ needs are clearly understood,” he added. An initial assessment of the client’s living situation aims to assess each person’s daily living activities, which are scrutinized by a “health or human services professional,” the organization said. This includes how they manage regular tasks like cleaning, shopping, paying bills or interacting with their community. A second evaluation specifically assesses home repair needs, and how to make a dwelling more livable for the needs of an older person. “These assessments enable OCHFH to provide modifications to their homes tailored to each homeowner’s specific lifestyle,” Raponi added. “Among the kinds of modifications we make are installing lever door handles, ramps, railings, grab bars, walk-in showers with a low threshold, and raised toilets to make homes more accessible for older adults.” Other resources, including Meals on Wheels , may be seen as necessary to deploy depending on a person’s circumstances, and all combine into a living situation that is aimed at being more generally beneficial for someone seeking to age in their own home. AIP is actively seeking more collaborative partners in the health care sector, owing to unique challenges visited upon older people who may not be able to adequately address their health needs. “Low-income older adults face a higher risk of chronic diseases and disabilities due to limited access to primary care and a greater likelihood of living in substandard, deteriorating housing,” Raponi added. A recent study from Carewell suggested that many older adults see aging in place as a financial necessity considering the costs of other kinds of living arrangements older people may choose. Nearly half of respondents (47%) characterized aging in place as both a preference and a financial necessity in tandem. 
By Didier Malagies January 20, 2025
1. Assess Your Financial Health Credit Score: Check your credit score (usually 620 or higher is required, though higher scores get better rates). Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Calculate your monthly debt payments compared to your gross monthly income (lenders typically prefer a DTI below 43%). Savings: Ensure you have enough for a down payment (typically 3-20%) and closing costs. 2. Gather Financial Information Lenders will need the following: Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s/1099s). List of assets (savings, investments, retirement accounts). Details of current debts (credit card balances, student loans, etc.). 3. Choose a Lender Research different lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Compare prequalification options (many allow online applications). 4. Complete the Prequalification Process Fill out the lender’s prequalification form (online, over the phone, or in person). Provide basic details about your income, debts, and assets. 5. Review Prequalification Results The lender will give you an estimate of the loan amount and potential interest rate. Remember, prequalification is not a guarantee of approval and doesn’t involve a hard credit inquiry. 6. Follow Up with Preapproval If you’re serious about buying, consider getting preapproved, which involves a more in-depth review and is stronger than prequalification. Tips: Use online calculators to estimate affordability before reaching out to lenders. Avoid large purchases or opening new lines of credit during the prequalification and preapproval process. Would you like details on specific lenders or tools to compare mortgage options? tune in and learn at https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
Show More
Share by: